It’s time for the Hawthorn Moon Sneak Peek of Ice Forged on June 21—and you’re invited!

Ice Forged won’t be out in bookstores until January, but you can get a first look at the cover and read four different unique excerpts, plus plenty of other free downloadable fun like interviews and blog posts in my Hawthorn Moon Sneak Peek event June 21!

Condemned as a murderer for killing the man who dishonored his sister, Blaine “Mick” McFadden has spent the last six years in Velant, a penal colony in the frigid northern wastelands of Edgeland. Harsh military discipline and the oppressive magic of the governor’s mages keep a fragile peace as colonists struggle against a hostile environment. But the supply ships from Dondareth have stopped coming, boding ill for the kingdom that banished the colonists.

Now, McFadden and the people of Velant decide their fate. They can remain in their icy prison, removed from the devastation of the outside world, but facing a subsistence-level existence, or they can return to the ruins of the kingdom that they once called home. Either way, destruction lies ahead…

Ice Forged is Book One in my brand new Ascendant Kingdoms Saga. Ice Forged will be available in stores and online world-wide in January 2013. But you can read an excerpt here, plus get exclusive Q&A, interviews and other online goodies by visiting the partner sites, which are listed on my web page.

During the Hawthorn Moon event, you can find never-before-released excerpts, interviews, audio, and other goodies on a variety of great fantasy sites that have agreed to be part of this debut party.

Here’s where to find the goodies:

OrbitBooks.net—First look at the cover art for Ice Forged plus a Q&A with me about the new Ascendant Kingdoms Saga series.

And exclusive excerpt from Chapter 1 of Ice Forged (one of four different excerpts)

An interview with master thief Verran Danning

Thank you for checking out my Hawthorn Moon sneak peek party. Enjoy!

Interview with Verran Danning, master thief and sometime musician

Q: Rumor has it you were exiled to Velant for theft. Is that right?

A: Really? Well, maybe, if you count the time I stole that guard’s drink. No, wait. I stole the wagon full of ale that was headed to the tavern where the guards drink. Something like that. Of course, it could have been for playing off tune in a crowded bar, although I like to think I do a bit better than that, most nights. Then again, it might have been when I slept with the wife of the captain of the guard….really, does it matter?

Q: And you met Lord Blaine McFadden during your transport?

A: Well now, that’s a bit of a sore point. I met a guy who called himself “Mick” when we were both on the boat to Velant. Didn’t find out for six years that he was a bleedin’ lord! By the gods, you go through prison with a fellow, pool your wages to set up a homestead with him and four of your best mates, and then out of the blue, you find out he’s a bleedin’ lord!

Q: Do you think Blaine McFadden can bring back the magic?

A: Damned if I know. But that vampire mage seemed to think so. And that assassin sure seemed to think so. I mean, have you ever heard about someone sending an assassin after a convict? Where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire, I always say. Mick’s a decent sort, for a murderer and all—but, from what little he’ll say about it, which isn’t much, the other fellow had it comin’, so it’s not really Mick’s fault about the killin’. Anyhow—magic? Didn’t have much myself, but I missed it once it was gone. So if there’s a way to bring it back, I’m in. Never say Verran Danning passed up a good story…or a drink.

Interview with Kestel Falke, courtesan, spy and assassin

Q: You were once the most sought-after courtesan in King Merrill’s court. How did you end up a prisoner in Velant?

A: I met Mick at court, although he doesn’t remember. That’s all right. I’m good at keeping secrets.

Q: Rumor has it you share a homestead with McFadden, court-martialed soldier Piran Rowse, condemned murderer Dawe Killick and thief Verran Danning. Isn’t that a little…cozy?

A: Let’s get this straight right now. We’re housemates, not bedmates. The boys and I have an understanding.

Q: You’ve earned your Ticket of Leave and become a full colonist in the Edgeland colony. Can Edgeland survive without Donderath?

A: I won’t lie to you. It isn’t exactly comfortable up here, even when the supply ships come on a regular basis. Commander Prokief up at the prison skims off the best of everything, and leaves the colonists with the dregs. But then again, it’s not like Donderath goes out of its way to provision us, either. We’re Merrill’s oubliette, remember? We’ve got more herring than we know what to do with. We can grow crops. We survived Velant. We’ll make do.

I have been trying, pretty much in vain, to find out if any more books are being written in The Chronicles of the Necromancer & The Fallen Kings Cycle series? I am absolutely OBSESSED with both of these series, but have not heard anything about either one in quite awhile…will be totally heartbroken if I no longer am able to read about Tris & his friends!!